Winter....anyone.

[Ron Wallenfang]

From the look of the national weather map the whole northern US from
about Montana east is caught up in a real cold spell of weather. In
Milwaukee, we've alternated between snow and cold fairly steadily ever
since late Nov., though with a week or so of record or near record
high temps in between that melted the first batch of snow, the next
batch arriving just as the first was limited to snow banks. In all,
we're closing in on 50" of snow for the season, with a half dozen or
so below 0 degree F days. (My inbound commute this morning started
out at -4F.) Worse, the snow has an an uncanny way of arriving just
in time to make biking hazardous. Two weeks ago, I started home in
what looked to be a little light rain, which turned into an
unpredicted howling snow storm. I had to take cover and get my wife
to pick me up, which took a long time because auto travel wasn't so
easy either. That's the second time this month she's had to do that.
Anyway, I'm about to suffer the indignity of back to back months of
well under 1000 miles, which hasn't happened since 1995. The best I
can say is that I have gotten at least one mile of biking in every
day. The month got off to a bad start when, as per an earlier report,
bike trouble kept me from getting a century. Besides weather problems
and work commitments, I had low mileage days in order to attend the
two Packer playoff games, the last of which they lost, as some of you
may have noticed. At least I was acclimated to the cold and didn't
freeze.

So how's your winter going??

[catzz66]

Ron Wallenfang wrote:
>
>
> So how's your winter going??

Cold and windy many days. I get out most days and am hanging in there,
but I will be glad when the lows get in the 40s again. Here the usual
temps range from the 20s to over 100 in a typical year. It has been
easier for me to adapt to the heat than to the cold. Most of my mileage
is in the 9 or so warmer months.

[Mitch@GreenerMarin.com]

....here in Marin, Ca - rain, rain and more rain...but that keeps it
warmer - in the 50's today - and perfect weather to ride to the
coast. Best wishes to those impacted by last nights flooding in
Marin and Sonoma counties.

[Tom Sherman]

Ron Wallenfang wrote:
> From the look of the national weather map the whole northern US from
> about Montana east is caught up in a real cold spell of weather. In
> Milwaukee, we've alternated between snow and cold fairly steadily ever
> since late Nov., though with a week or so of record or near record
> high temps in between that melted the first batch of snow, the next
> batch arriving just as the first was limited to snow banks. In all,
> we're closing in on 50" of snow for the season, with a half dozen or
> so below 0 degree F days. (My inbound commute this morning started
> out at -4F.) Worse, the snow has an an uncanny way of arriving just
> in time to make biking hazardous. Two weeks ago, I started home in
> what looked to be a little light rain, which turned into an
> unpredicted howling snow storm. I had to take cover and get my wife
> to pick me up, which took a long time because auto travel wasn't so
> easy either. That's the second time this month she's had to do that.
> Anyway, I'm about to suffer the indignity of back to back months of
> well under 1000 miles, which hasn't happened since 1995. The best I
> can say is that I have gotten at least one mile of biking in every
> day. The month got off to a bad start when, as per an earlier report,
> bike trouble kept me from getting a century. Besides weather problems
> and work commitments, I had low mileage days in order to attend the
> two Packer playoff games, the last of which they lost, as some of you
> may have noticed.

I have noticed that people in SE Wisconsin say "Packer game" instead of
"Packers game".

> At least I was acclimated to the cold and didn't
> freeze.
>
> So how's your winter going??
>
Sounds like the weather here in Milwaukee County. ;) The latest snow
stopped about an hour ago.

Yesterday morning it was cold enough that some of the salt slush refroze
on the road, leaving patches of invisible "black" ice. Bunch of cager
accidents (again).

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
- A. Derleth

[Patrick Lamb]

On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:00:32 -0800 (PST), Ron Wallenfang
<rwallenfang@wi.rr.com> wrote:
>So how's your winter going??

Cold, and thanks for asking!

I've been having a pair of low mileage months for me, but then since
I've never made 1,000 miles in a month, all of mine are low mileage
compared to yours! My DW treated me to a case of the creeping crud
last month; first time I'd really been under the weather for 22
months. About the time I started to recover, it got really cold
(meaning way down into the 20s!), and a couple days commuting by bike
convinced me I needed to ease back into it. DW also got T-boned last
month (she's OK), and the shop has been slow fixing her car up. I've
been driving a car at least a couple days each of the last two weeks,
so I could take her to work or pick her up to get the car back.

Of course, the benefit of an exceptional drought (since June 9 in
north Alabama) is that there aren't too many rainy days. I'm hoping
either we get a lot more rain, or I get back on the bike a lot more
Real Soon Now. Or both!

Pat

Email address works as is.

[joseph.santaniello@gmail.com]

On Jan 26, 4:00*am, Ron Wallenfang <rwallenf...@wi.rr.com> wrote:
> From the look of the national weather map the whole northern US from
> about Montana east is caught up in a real cold spell of weather. *In
> Milwaukee, we've alternated between snow and cold fairly steadily ever
> since late Nov., though with a week or so of record or near record
> high temps in between that melted the first batch of snow, the next
> batch arriving just as the first was limited to snow banks. *In all,
> we're closing in on 50" of snow for the season, with a half dozen or
> so below 0 degree F days. *(My inbound commute this morning started
> out at -4F.) *Worse, the snow has an an uncanny way of arriving just
> in time to make biking hazardous. *Two weeks ago, I started home in
> what looked to be a little light rain, which turned into an
> unpredicted howling snow storm. *I had to take cover and get my wife
> to pick me up, which took a long time because auto travel wasn't so
> easy either. *That's the second time this month she's had to do that.
> Anyway, I'm about to suffer the indignity of back to back months of
> well under 1000 miles, which hasn't happened since 1995. *The best I
> can say is that I have gotten at least one mile of biking in every
> day. *The month got off to a bad start when, as per an earlier report,
> bike trouble kept me from getting a century. *Besides weather problems
> and work commitments, I had low mileage days in order to attend the
> two Packer playoff games, the last of which they lost, as some of you
> may have noticed. *At least I was acclimated to the cold and didn't
> freeze.
>
> So how's your winter going??

I wish some of the winter was headed my way. My skis are quite
lonesome sitting on my porch. I'm at 60deg North (equivalent to 1300
miles north of Chicago) but right in the path of the Gulf Stream and
it has been above freezing for weeks. As high as 7C (45F) a few days,
lows at night around -2C (28F) so sometimes slippery on the parts of
road in the shade (low sun angle adds to this), but mostly fine. I've
been getting in about 8 hours per week on the road. Very windy however
with winds out of the south west which gives me a headwind home, so
I'm going slow disappearing in glare from the low sun and wet road.
Kind of nerve-racking at times.

Joseph

PS: Panaracer Duro Extreme tires stand up to an amazing amount of
sharp wet gravel.

[Jay]

"Ron Wallenfang" <rwallenfang@wi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:e7f3b2d1-f25e-456d-94d6-f208263eb00b@x69g2000hsx.googlegroups.com...
> From the look of the national weather map the whole northern US from
> about Montana east is caught up in a real cold spell of weather. In
> Milwaukee, we've alternated between snow and cold fairly steadily ever
> since late Nov., though with a week or so of record or near record
> high temps in between that melted the first batch of snow, the next
> batch arriving just as the first was limited to snow banks. In all,
> we're closing in on 50" of snow for the season, with a half dozen or
> so below 0 degree F days. (My inbound commute this morning started
> out at -4F.) Worse, the snow has an an uncanny way of arriving just
> in time to make biking hazardous. Two weeks ago, I started home in
> what looked to be a little light rain, which turned into an
> unpredicted howling snow storm. I had to take cover and get my wife
> to pick me up, which took a long time because auto travel wasn't so
> easy either. That's the second time this month she's had to do that.
> Anyway, I'm about to suffer the indignity of back to back months of
> well under 1000 miles, which hasn't happened since 1995. The best I
> can say is that I have gotten at least one mile of biking in every
> day. The month got off to a bad start when, as per an earlier report,
> bike trouble kept me from getting a century. Besides weather problems
> and work commitments, I had low mileage days in order to attend the
> two Packer playoff games, the last of which they lost, as some of you
> may have noticed. At least I was acclimated to the cold and didn't
> freeze.
>
> So how's your winter going??
>
Hey Ron:

I don't talk about it much...I just ride, every day, year round, 20 miles
daily in Chicago.

Winter happens, on a predictable schedule. Dress for it. Ride an appropriate
bike.

Why do I need to lecture a Packer fan on COLD?

This is not rocket science...and I do know rocket scientists.

Chicagoan J.

[Stephen Harding]

Ron Wallenfang wrote:

> So how's your winter going??

Broke a rear axle on my primary commuter last week. Will
attempt to fix it today. I'm using my foul weather ice
bike w/ studded knobby tires for the moment, which isn't
really needed with snow largely clear on the road sides.

Also have had two flats, which are a pain to fix in cold
weather. At least it was the front that went flat going
in to work last week which dirties up the hands less than
a rear.

My fingers felt like boulders when I'd finished!

Coldest ride in so far was about 4F but usually in the
15-20F range.

Interesting how one acclimates though. I wear a balaclava
with temps below 20F at the start of the winter, and last
week didn't bother with it even down to about 10F.

I can also actually tell the temperature quite well now!
I go by a temperature reading on my way home from work,
so I can equate temp feel and measure fairly accurately
now. This last Friday, walked to a Happy Hours session
with coworkers after work and everyone remarked how cold
it seemed. I said it was about 15F and we looked it up
later to find it was 14F.


SMH

[dgk]

On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:00:32 -0800 (PST), Ron Wallenfang
<rwallenfang@wi.rr.com> wrote:

>From the look of the national weather map the whole northern US from
>about Montana east is caught up in a real cold spell of weather. In
>Milwaukee, we've alternated between snow and cold fairly steadily ever
>since late Nov., though with a week or so of record or near record
>high temps in between that melted the first batch of snow, the next
>batch arriving just as the first was limited to snow banks. In all,
>we're closing in on 50" of snow for the season, with a half dozen or
>so below 0 degree F days. (My inbound commute this morning started
>out at -4F.) Worse, the snow has an an uncanny way of arriving just
>in time to make biking hazardous. Two weeks ago, I started home in
>what looked to be a little light rain, which turned into an
>unpredicted howling snow storm. I had to take cover and get my wife
>to pick me up, which took a long time because auto travel wasn't so
>easy either. That's the second time this month she's had to do that.
>Anyway, I'm about to suffer the indignity of back to back months of
>well under 1000 miles, which hasn't happened since 1995. The best I
>can say is that I have gotten at least one mile of biking in every
>day. The month got off to a bad start when, as per an earlier report,
>bike trouble kept me from getting a century. Besides weather problems
>and work commitments, I had low mileage days in order to attend the
>two Packer playoff games, the last of which they lost, as some of you
>may have noticed. At least I was acclimated to the cold and didn't
>freeze.
>
>So how's your winter going??


I've been a wuss. I'm in New York City, and it really hasn't been a
bad winter but I have a 15 mile commute so I'm a bit picky about when
to bike. It seems to be very windy this winter, and always into my
face. It's been very wet also; no snow, but it seems to rain a lot. I
note this because I'm hardly using the humidifier in my bedroom.

Having a subway makes it very tough to commute by bike. Let's see, I
can battle the elements and cars for 15 miles. Or, I can sit and read
and look up and realize that I'm at work.

My basic feeling is that I should enjoy the biking, and I usually do.
If I find that I'm *****ing about it, then I take the train.

[ilaboo]

"catzz66" <catzz66@threeletterservice.com> wrote in message
news:600nbiF1ouj8kU1@mid.individual.net...
> Ron Wallenfang wrote:
>>
>>
>> So how's your winter going??

here in da Bronx, cold and windy but sun is amazingly hot--go to the breach
every day there is sunshine--bike is doing well no shifting problems but
rear disk brake is sluggish --from tthe cold. Only once had to put newspaper
in my jacket for added insulation

thanks
peter

[Papa Tom]

>>>>So how's your winter going??<<<<

Just to give you some perspective, I've gone from a pedaling maniac to a
total sedentary blob this winter, which is almost inexcusable here in
southern NY (where it hasn't been all that bad).

I envy that you've ridden one mile each day!

"Tom Sherman" <sunsetss0003@REMOVETHISyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:fnfv39$3s7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> Ron Wallenfang wrote:
>> From the look of the national weather map the whole northern US from
>> about Montana east is caught up in a real cold spell of weather. In
>> Milwaukee, we've alternated between snow and cold fairly steadily ever
>> since late Nov., though with a week or so of record or near record
>> high temps in between that melted the first batch of snow, the next
>> batch arriving just as the first was limited to snow banks. In all,
>> we're closing in on 50" of snow for the season, with a half dozen or
>> so below 0 degree F days. (My inbound commute this morning started
>> out at -4F.) Worse, the snow has an an uncanny way of arriving just
>> in time to make biking hazardous. Two weeks ago, I started home in
>> what looked to be a little light rain, which turned into an
>> unpredicted howling snow storm. I had to take cover and get my wife
>> to pick me up, which took a long time because auto travel wasn't so
>> easy either. That's the second time this month she's had to do that.
>> Anyway, I'm about to suffer the indignity of back to back months of
>> well under 1000 miles, which hasn't happened since 1995. The best I
>> can say is that I have gotten at least one mile of biking in every
>> day. The month got off to a bad start when, as per an earlier report,
>> bike trouble kept me from getting a century. Besides weather problems
>> and work commitments, I had low mileage days in order to attend the
>> two Packer playoff games, the last of which they lost, as some of you
>> may have noticed.
>
> I have noticed that people in SE Wisconsin say "Packer game" instead of
> "Packers game".
>
>> At least I was acclimated to the cold and didn't
>> freeze.
>>
>> So how's your winter going??
> >
> Sounds like the weather here in Milwaukee County. ;) The latest snow
> stopped about an hour ago.
>
> Yesterday morning it was cold enough that some of the salt slush refroze
> on the road, leaving patches of invisible "black" ice. Bunch of cager
> accidents (again).
>
> --
> Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
> "And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
> - A. Derleth

[Tom Keats]

In article <91ump352ij4hleoqq3qd2c0fqnmm5jhe8t@4ax.com>,
Patrick Lamb <pdl678NOSPAM@comcast.net> writes:
> On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:00:32 -0800 (PST), Ron Wallenfang
> <rwallenfang@wi.rr.com> wrote:
>>So how's your winter going??
>
> Cold, and thanks for asking!
>
> I've been having a pair of low mileage months for me, but then since
> I've never made 1,000 miles in a month, all of mine are low mileage
> compared to yours! My DW treated me to a case of the creeping crud
> last month; first time I'd really been under the weather for 22
> months. About the time I started to recover, it got really cold
> (meaning way down into the 20s!), and a couple days commuting by bike
> convinced me I needed to ease back into it. DW also got T-boned last
> month (she's OK), and the shop has been slow fixing her car up. I've
> been driving a car at least a couple days each of the last two weeks,
> so I could take her to work or pick her up to get the car back.
>
> Of course, the benefit of an exceptional drought (since June 9 in
> north Alabama) is that there aren't too many rainy days. I'm hoping
> either we get a lot more rain, or I get back on the bike a lot more
> Real Soon Now. Or both!

These days, it's really pretty -- sunny, clear and freezing
(but dry) during the weekdays while I'm at work. Then the
weekend comes, and it snows. A local snow storm is incipient
right now as I say this.

I love the rain, even when it's just above freezing.
But I also love clear & sunny & dry, even when it's
below freezing. I despise what we in Vancouver BC
call "snow". It's just an ugly mess that screws up
my weekends and forces me to hoof it to the laundromat
while taking The Lord's name in vain many times,
under my breath.

It's a bad time to bake bread, but a good time to
make (and subsequently eat) clam chowder. It's also
a good time to steer clear of drivers who think
they're able to deal with it.

Worst of all are drivers who come here from places
where they get /real/ snow. They think they're
experts at dealing with Vancouver "snow", and set
out to teach the local populace a lesson about how
to deal with it. Boy, do they get a surprise
(or two,) and leave us locals with the impression
that folks from the wrong side of the Rockies or
north of the 60th Parallel are way too officious.
And dangerous.

How I long for the summer heat! Oh, well -- no
use whining about it. But looking forward to it
gives me sustaining hope. Then, it'll be clear,
dry & sunny while I'm at work during the week, and
just rain on the weekends. I can live with that.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Claire Petersky]

"Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:mi4gnf.u13.ln@vcn.bc.ca...
> In article <91ump352ij4hleoqq3qd2c0fqnmm5jhe8t@4ax.com>,

> Worst of all are drivers who come here from places
> where they get /real/ snow. They think they're
> experts at dealing with Vancouver "snow", and set
> out to teach the local populace a lesson about how
> to deal with it.

Just came back from your fair city this evening. It was snowing to beat the
band. I <3 Vancouver. It's such a great city. I always feel like Vancouver
is to Seattle the way I'd feel about a more glamorous cousin - about the
same genetic material, but more beautiful, more sophisticated, more on top
of things.

ObBikeContent: the professional two-day workshop I was at had about 20% of
the people attending get there by bike. I thought that was a remarkably high
number, especially for this time of year.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[Chalo]

Tom Keats wrote:
>
> How I long for the summer heat! Oh, well -- no
> use whining about it. But looking forward to it
> gives me sustaining hope. Then, it'll be clear,
> dry & sunny while I'm at work during the week, and
> just rain on the weekends. I can live with that.

The Pacific Northwest doesn't _get_ any summer heat; that's one of its
attractions for those who love it. Here in Austin we got hotter
temperatures during late December of last year than I saw during the
"dog days" of summer in Seattle.

That's one reason I love Austin. Last week the weather turned Seattle-
like for a few days, but now the cold dark drizzle seems to have let
up for a spell.

Chalo

[Tom Keats]

In article <nb2dnbXyjtsNLAbanZ2dnUVZ_o6knZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Jay" <jbollyn@gmail.com> writes:

> Why do I need to lecture a Packer fan on COLD?

Oh, well.

> This is not rocket science...and I do know rocket scientists.

Just as there are various kinds of rockets,
there are various kinds of COLD.

I opine the PNW kind of COLD is among
the most miserable.

Rocket bikes pique my interest.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Tom Sherman]

Jay Bollyn wrote:
> ...
> Why do I need to lecture a Packer fan on COLD?
>
Because DA BEHS kicked Slacker booty in the last cold weather game they
played?

> This is not rocket science...and I do know rocket scientists.
>
I know some rocket scientist (sic) in the Chicagoland area:
<http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/home.asp?URL=wisil/main.asp>.
(The "We could be rocket scientist" page seems to have disappeared,
however).

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
- A. Derleth

[Ron Wallenfang]

On Jan 26, 4:17 pm, "Jay" <jbol...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hey Ron:
>
> I don't talk about it much...I just ride, every day, year round, 20 miles
> daily in Chicago.

I can get at least one mile in every day, but to do 20 on some of the
storm days is a real challenge, unless you've found a route that is
salted early and often (my last wintry a.m. on business in Chicago, I
did a bunch of loops from the Planetarium to the Field Museum, which
roughly met that criterion.)
>
> Winter happens, on a predictable schedule. Dress for it. Ride an appropriate
> bike.

That can keep you from freezing, but it doesn't make the roads
passable.
>
> Why do I need to lecture a Packer fan on COLD?

Even though Lambeau is 200 miles north of Soldier Field, it doesn't
have those howling lake winds. Favre said that Dec. 2007 game in
Chicago was the worst weather he ever encountered for a game. A Yahoo
account of the 20 or so worst weather games in NFL history showed a
good sampling from Soldier Field, even though the Ice Bowl at Lambeau
was the single worst. (I must boast that I was there).
>
> This is not rocket science...and I do know rocket scientists.

I don't
>
> Chicagoan J.

[Zoot Katz]

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:17:54 -0600, "Jay" <jbollyn@gmail.com> wrote,
in part:

>Winter happens, on a predictable schedule. Dress for it. Ride an appropriate
>bike.

I think I remember reading here that "There is no such thing as bad
weather, only bad gear.".
--
zk

[Tom Sherman]

Tom Keats wrote:
> ...
> Rocket bikes pique my interest.
>
I have a Rocket bike like this one:
<http://www.ransbikes.com/Rocket07.htm>. ;)

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
- A. Derleth

[Andrew Price]

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:29:43 -0800, tkeats2005@ehotmail.com (Tom
Keats) wrote:

>Just as there are various kinds of rockets,
>there are various kinds of COLD.
>
>I opine the PNW kind of COLD is among
>the most miserable.

Why ?

[Ryan Cousineau]

In article <n8cgnf.v8.ln@vcn.bc.ca>,
tkeats2005@ehotmail.com (Tom Keats) wrote:

> In article <nb2dnbXyjtsNLAbanZ2dnUVZ_o6knZ2d@comcast.com>,
> "Jay" <jbollyn@gmail.com> writes:
>
> > Why do I need to lecture a Packer fan on COLD?
>
> Oh, well.
>
> > This is not rocket science...and I do know rocket scientists.
>
> Just as there are various kinds of rockets,
> there are various kinds of COLD.
>
> I opine the PNW kind of COLD is among
> the most miserable.

There's something to this idea. Having made a few trips to the Rest of
Canada in the winter (most lately, a trip to Toronto a week ago, when
they were experiencing unusually cold weather (-10 C or so, plus some
bonus wind chill).

Toronto was cold, and pretty fiercely so, but Vancouver runs to a
bone-bending iciness that I think is entirely down to the relatively
high moisture content of the air.

The very worst is the classic 1 C and raining that is so common in
Vancouver. You can defeat it (after years of trying, a good solution is
a simple plastic rain jacket as the outer layer), but the normal soft
outer garments will normally get soaked through, and the cold and wet
seep in rapidly and chillingly.

That said, I think this perception of cold also reflects the preparation
you make. In truly cold places, cyclists and citizens know enough to
dress for the weather, including really thick gloves, really warm coats
(albeit not necessarily rain-shedding ones: hello fur!), and maybe a
scarf or balaclava.

As for Vancouver, buying a set of MEC's neoprene cycling/paddling gloves
has solved my cold-hand issues. For the body, the aforementioned plastic
jacket, usually over a nice Garneau Wind-tex jacket (worth every penny)
and a jersey under that keeps me 3-hour dry. One or two pairs of shorts
and leggings are plenty for the legs. I am still struggling with an
effective footwear solution, which is my real bugbear. I have tried
neoprene boot covers, and found them strangely ineffective. It may have
been too tight; I shall try the next size up. If anyone has a
recommendation for a really weather-resistant cycling shoe (or maybe
magic socks), let me know.

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"My scenarios may give the impression I could be an excellent crook.
Not true - I am a talented lawyer." - Sandy in rec.bicycles.racing

[Tom Keats]

In article <s2enp39fsfinj5u7i7ujgn9kpghflpjupj@4ax.com>,
Andrew Price <ajprice@free.fr> writes:
> On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:29:43 -0800, tkeats2005@ehotmail.com (Tom
> Keats) wrote:
>
>>Just as there are various kinds of rockets,
>>there are various kinds of COLD.
>>
>>I opine the PNW kind of COLD is among
>>the most miserable.
>
> Why ?

Because the coldness is accompanied by a
clammy, insidious dampness. It chills you
simultaneously from the skin in, and from
the bones out. If you're wearing the wrong
kind of clothing, it feels like your wearing
clothes fresh out of the cold water cycle of
your washing machine. And they exuberantly
stick to you. Even the Pacific Ocean air we
breathe is cold & wet. You can't stand in
the sunlight to warm up a li'l, 'cuz there
ain't any. Just grey, overcast sky, and
a bleak, dismal vista to pervade your mind.

Our humid coldness will make you shiver and
scrunch-up your shoulders. You can stand
on the land or swim in the ocean: same
difference. Cold + wet.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Chalo]

Andrew Price wrote:
>
> Tom Keats wrote:
> >
> > here are various kinds of COLD.
> >
> > I opine the PNW kind of COLD is among
> > the most miserable.
>
> Why ?

It's the dense, permeating damp. It chills and dampens your clothes,
home, spirits, activities, and outlook.

Northwesterners have a traditional abundance of strong, delicious
coffee and strong, delicious beer. It's no coincidence. These things
are life preservers in the Pacific Northwest winter climate.

Chalo

[Ryan Cousineau]

In article <s2enp39fsfinj5u7i7ujgn9kpghflpjupj@4ax.com>,
Andrew Price <ajprice@free.fr> wrote:

> On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:29:43 -0800, tkeats2005@ehotmail.com (Tom
> Keats) wrote:
>
> >Just as there are various kinds of rockets,
> >there are various kinds of COLD.
> >
> >I opine the PNW kind of COLD is among
> >the most miserable.
>
> Why ?

It's wet.

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"My scenarios may give the impression I could be an excellent crook.
Not true - I am a talented lawyer." - Sandy in rec.bicycles.racing

[Zoot Katz]

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:14:48 -0800, tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom
Keats) wrote:
>
>In article <s2enp39fsfinj5u7i7ujgn9kpghflpjupj@4ax.com>,
> Andrew Price <ajprice@free.fr> writes:
>> On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:29:43 -0800, tkeats2005@ehotmail.com (Tom
>> Keats) wrote:
>>
>>>Just as there are various kinds of rockets,
>>>there are various kinds of COLD.
>>>
>>>I opine the PNW kind of COLD is among
>>>the most miserable.
>>
>> Why ?
>
>Because the coldness is accompanied by a
>clammy, insidious dampness. It chills you
>simultaneously from the skin in, and from
>the bones out. If you're wearing the wrong
>kind of clothing, it feels like your wearing
>clothes fresh out of the cold water cycle of
>your washing machine. And they exuberantly
>stick to you. Even the Pacific Ocean air we
>breathe is cold & wet. You can't stand in
>the sunlight to warm up a li'l, 'cuz there
>ain't any. Just grey, overcast sky, and
>a bleak, dismal vista to pervade your mind.
>
>Our humid coldness will make you shiver and
>scrunch-up your shoulders. You can stand
>on the land or swim in the ocean: same
>difference. Cold + wet.

Rain weeds out the weenies.

I think I've already related a ride in November when Jane and me both
commenting that the quality of the rain was good because it meant
everything was back to normal.

When I lived outside for a Haida Guai pseudo-summer I felt I was just
another of the universe's creatures living at the interface of fresh
water, salt water and air. Were it a winter though I'd probably been
one of the creatures that also die there. No sun for too long.

Vancouver winters aren't very long it's just that the fall and spring
weather can feel like winter too. My daffodils have been pushing up
green since Xmas. The witch hazel is in full bloom, FWIW, and I heard
last week that there is a cherry tree on Clark Drive starting to
blossom. Street trees are turning faintly green or pink. You can see
it in the air around them. Be this winter, I'll take it.

When I lived in Montreal I learned why "froid" is French for"cold".
Stepping onto the front porch, wearing a tee-shirt and no shoes, into
a bright sunny morning after a week of cold, windy, cloudy, and wet
weather, I tried to enunciate "**** it's cold!" but "FWWAAAA!" was
all that could pass my lips. Thirty below does that to you.
--
zk

[Zoot Katz]

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:11:07 -0800, "Claire Petersky"
<cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote, in part:

>
>ObBikeContent: the professional two-day workshop I was at had about 20% of
>the people attending get there by bike. I thought that was a remarkably high
>number, especially for this time of year.

Twenty percent is peak season numbers entering the UBC campus or
commuting downtown on a nice day during a summer long bus strike.

Given that the other professionals at the workshop were probably of
similar bent and background as your self, twenty percent shouldn't be
outstanding. It however is encouraging to see people using bikes as
transport. . . at least in nice weather. Thursday and Friday were
glorious days for riding.

Did you bring your bike too?
--
zk

[Tom Keats]

In article <13po12nmdc57j91@corp.supernews.com>,
"Claire Petersky" <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> writes:
> "Tom Keats" <tkeats2005@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:mi4gnf.u13.ln@vcn.bc.ca...
>> In article <91ump352ij4hleoqq3qd2c0fqnmm5jhe8t@4ax.com>,
>
>> Worst of all are drivers who come here from places
>> where they get /real/ snow. They think they're
>> experts at dealing with Vancouver "snow", and set
>> out to teach the local populace a lesson about how
>> to deal with it.
>
> Just came back from your fair city this evening. It was snowing to beat the
> band. I <3 Vancouver. It's such a great city. I always feel like Vancouver
> is to Seattle the way I'd feel about a more glamorous cousin - about the
> same genetic material, but more beautiful, more sophisticated, more on top
> of things.

Really? I've always thought of Seattle and Vancouver (BC) as
sororital twins, and as "slightly different" equals. The cultures
are slightly different, but just as rich & vibrant. The Seattle
arts community seems (to me, at least) to be more ... "there" --
above-ground and visible. I think Vancouver enjoys more kinship
with Seattle than with hoighty-toity Victoria. So many of us
(including myself) have extended families distributed & scattered
across the border. I wouldn't be surprised if Vancouverites
understand Seattlites better than most Americans, and Seattlites
understand Vancouverites better than most Canadians.

In a subsequent post in this thread you mentioned the train.
How I love the idea of our respective cities being connected
by rail! How apropos! Nowadays it's the Amtrak Cascadia.
Eons ago when I was a kid, I used to go visiting relatives
(in Everett) via the ol' Great Northern, which only went as
far as Bellingham. But what a wonderful train trip adventurette
that was! I'd like to do it again, but these days I'll have to
get a stoopid passport.

I love the Peace Arch and what it represents.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Claire Petersky]

"Zoot Katz" <zootkatz@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:8abop3hmi6p5ltatv3sa8ri56c6iqfn4qi@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:11:07 -0800, "Claire Petersky"
> <cpetersky@mouse-potato.com> wrote, in part:
>
>>
>>ObBikeContent: the professional two-day workshop I was at had about 20% of
>>the people attending get there by bike. I thought that was a remarkably
>>high
>>number, especially for this time of year.
>
> Twenty percent is peak season numbers entering the UBC campus or
> commuting downtown on a nice day during a summer long bus strike.
>
> Given that the other professionals at the workshop were probably of
> similar bent and background as your self, twenty percent shouldn't be
> outstanding. It however is encouraging to see people using bikes as
> transport. . . at least in nice weather. Thursday and Friday were
> glorious days for riding.
>
> Did you bring your bike too?


It was at the shop, having its hubs repacked while I was gone. One attendee
also from Seattle took the train up, rented a bike while he was in
Vancouver, and rode it to the workshops and around town.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[Bruce Gilbert]

"Chalo" <chalo.colina@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:d53bc03e-d6a1-49fe-9927-88634e5dc7c0@c23g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
> Tom Keats wrote:
> >
> > How I long for the summer heat! Oh, well -- no
> > use whining about it. But looking forward to it
> > gives me sustaining hope. Then, it'll be clear,
> > dry & sunny while I'm at work during the week, and
> > just rain on the weekends. I can live with that.
>
> The Pacific Northwest doesn't _get_ any summer heat; that's one of its
> attractions for those who love it. Here in Austin we got hotter
> temperatures during late December of last year than I saw during the
> "dog days" of summer in Seattle.
>
> That's one reason I love Austin. Last week the weather turned Seattle-
> like for a few days, but now the cold dark drizzle seems to have let
> up for a spell.
>
> Chalo

We got out for 50 miles yesterday. It was very humid, windy and in the
mid-forties when I left the house. By the time I got to Sugar Land, the sun
began to come through. The rest of the ride was beautiful. We even had
someone show us a new route for a very familiar ride. It has been raining
and cold for over a week down here in Houston.

Trainer workouts every night makes you crave pave.

Bruce

[mevermeulen@gmail.com]

> So how's your winter going??

Congrats Ron on cycling each day. I haven't done that, though
don't have an automobile so the days without bike riding were
walking or staying inside.

On our coldest morning (-5F), my rear hub was causing problems,
but otherwise cycling has gone well.

I've decided I'll try the "Century of the Month" exercise and today
I cycled from Fort Collins, CO to Cheyenne, WY and back. Beautiful
lovely weather and only a bit of wind. However, also one of the
warmest days so far. I cycled to a "traditional New Year's Day ride"
of the local cycle club and discovered I was the only rider.

I returned from my 10 months of cycling touring at end of
December (the cold in Colorado was a bit of a change after
leaving Malaysia) but already can spend some time dreaming
and scheming of the next big trip :-)...

--mev, Mike Vermeulen

[Ron Wallenfang]

On Jan 27, 7:38 pm, mevermeu...@gmail.com wrote:
> > So how's your winter going??
>
> Congrats Ron on cycling each day. I haven't done that, though
> don't have an automobile so the days without bike riding were
> walking or staying inside.
>
> On our coldest morning (-5F), my rear hub was causing problems,
> but otherwise cycling has gone well.
>
> I've decided I'll try the "Century of the Month" exercise and today
> I cycled from Fort Collins, CO to Cheyenne, WY and back. Beautiful
> lovely weather and only a bit of wind. However, also one of the
> warmest days so far. I cycled to a "traditional New Year's Day ride"
> of the local cycle club and discovered I was the only rider.
>
> I returned from my 10 months of cycling touring at end of
> December (the cold in Colorado was a bit of a change after
> leaving Malaysia) but already can spend some time dreaming
> and scheming of the next big trip :-)...
>
> --mev, Mike Vermeulen

Dare I ask what the next trip will be? After doing Amsterdam to
Vladivostok, across China and down to Singapore, you've pretty much
run the table.

[mevermeulen@gmail.com]

> Dare I ask what the next trip will be? After doing Amsterdam to
> Vladivostok, across China and down to Singapore, you've pretty much
> run the table.

That's part of the fun, dreaming and scheming of another long
trip :-).
Not quite sure. I haven't been to either Africa or South
America...and
am thinking of taking Spanish classes...

I have a spare bicycle sitting in Penza, Russia, left behind from my
2006
trip as a spare for Amsterdam to Vladivostok ride. It would be fun to
cycle
from Penza across Kazakhstan to Urumqi, China. In any case, sometime
pick up that bicycle and start riding from Penza.

In the mean time, put in some good hours at work and only take shorter
trips in North America, starting with Texas Hell Week ride in March.

--mev, Mike Vermeulen

[Papa Tom]

>>>If I find that I'm *****ing about it, then I take the train.<<<<

Glad I'm not the only New Yorker who's wussing out this winter. I'm not
sure why it feels so much colder in NY this year. Maybe it's just that
we're getting OLDER?

"dgk" <dgk@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:oblrp3t75i9djmo21qklbv7bhsuc7efigr@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:00:32 -0800 (PST), Ron Wallenfang
> <rwallenfang@wi.rr.com> wrote:
>
>>From the look of the national weather map the whole northern US from
>>about Montana east is caught up in a real cold spell of weather. In
>>Milwaukee, we've alternated between snow and cold fairly steadily ever
>>since late Nov., though with a week or so of record or near record
>>high temps in between that melted the first batch of snow, the next
>>batch arriving just as the first was limited to snow banks. In all,
>>we're closing in on 50" of snow for the season, with a half dozen or
>>so below 0 degree F days. (My inbound commute this morning started
>>out at -4F.) Worse, the snow has an an uncanny way of arriving just
>>in time to make biking hazardous. Two weeks ago, I started home in
>>what looked to be a little light rain, which turned into an
>>unpredicted howling snow storm. I had to take cover and get my wife
>>to pick me up, which took a long time because auto travel wasn't so
>>easy either. That's the second time this month she's had to do that.
>>Anyway, I'm about to suffer the indignity of back to back months of
>>well under 1000 miles, which hasn't happened since 1995. The best I
>>can say is that I have gotten at least one mile of biking in every
>>day. The month got off to a bad start when, as per an earlier report,
>>bike trouble kept me from getting a century. Besides weather problems
>>and work commitments, I had low mileage days in order to attend the
>>two Packer playoff games, the last of which they lost, as some of you
>>may have noticed. At least I was acclimated to the cold and didn't
>>freeze.
>>
>>So how's your winter going??
>
>
> I've been a wuss. I'm in New York City, and it really hasn't been a
> bad winter but I have a 15 mile commute so I'm a bit picky about when
> to bike. It seems to be very windy this winter, and always into my
> face. It's been very wet also; no snow, but it seems to rain a lot. I
> note this because I'm hardly using the humidifier in my bedroom.
>
> Having a subway makes it very tough to commute by bike. Let's see, I
> can battle the elements and cars for 15 miles. Or, I can sit and read
> and look up and realize that I'm at work.
>
> My basic feeling is that I should enjoy the biking, and I usually do.
> If I find that I'm *****ing about it, then I take the train.

[dgk]

On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:38:20 -0500, "Papa Tom"
<TomMontalbano@optonline.net> wrote:

>>>>If I find that I'm *****ing about it, then I take the train.<<<<
>
>Glad I'm not the only New Yorker who's wussing out this winter. I'm not
>sure why it feels so much colder in NY this year. Maybe it's just that
>we're getting OLDER?
>


Oh, I'm definitely getting older. No one aims commercials at my
demographic anymore. Still, I biked in this morning; it was 32F and a
beautiful day to bike. Coming home should be cloudy with a chance of a
sprinkle, and a nice SW wind at 10-15 mph. Perfect for me; I'll just
put up a sail.

Tomorrow back to crap though. Morning rain, afternoon very windy, WSW
at 30 mph. I think I'll take the train.

[Mike Latondresse]

Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> wrote in news:rcousine-
617623.16045629012008@[74.223.185.199.nw.nuvox.net]:

> I am still struggling with an
> effective footwear solution, which is my real bugbear. I have tried
> neoprene boot covers, and found them strangely ineffective. It may have
> been too tight; I shall try the next size up. If anyone has a
> recommendation for a really weather-resistant cycling shoe (or maybe
> magic socks), let me know.
>

Get the MEC neoprene in the largest size you can (XXXL) and they work a
treat.

[Jym Dyer]

> As for Vancouver, buying a set of MEC's neoprene cycling/
> paddling gloves has solved my cold-hand issues.

=v= I also want to give props to Pearl Izumi's "lobster claw"
gloves, which got me through some Chicago and Omaha winters!

> I have tried neoprene boot covers, and found them strangely
> ineffective.

=v= Same here. They wear down much too fast!
<_Jym_>

[Tom Keats]

In article <rcousine-617623.16045629012008@[74.223.185.199.nw.nuvox.net]>,
Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> writes:

> The very worst is the classic 1 C and raining that is so common in
> Vancouver.

I've never understood that particular odium.

To me, that it's not freezing is a good thing.

That it's raining is just ... usual and normal.

If the streets are ice-free, I'm happier than
a kitten in a dairy.

Having to stand still @ 1C in the rain (e.g: waiting
for a bus) is horrid. But being able to move around
readily obviates and obliviates all the discomforts.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Dane Buson]

In rec.bicycles.misc Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> wrote:

> If anyone has a recommendation for a really weather-resistant cycling
> shoe (or maybe magic socks), let me know.

Mec has the Exustar E-SM450 Cold Weather Cycling Shoes which are what I
use. If you are in a total downpour they will soak water in through the
neoprene 'sock' at top, but in normal rains they work a treat.

I've been spoiled by their ridiculously firm sole, which I miss when I
shift back to regular MTB/commuter shoes.

--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
'You know all those spasticated-looking hip-hop gestures involving
extended fingers and wrists cocked at odd angles which are intended to
have a meaning to the effect of "Kinoath!" or "You have spoken wisely,
my friend."? I'm making one in your direction now...' Marko in aus.moto

[max]

In article
<rcousine-0888FF.16050729012008@[74.223.185.199.nw.nuvox.net]>,
Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> wrote:

> In article <s2enp39fsfinj5u7i7ujgn9kpghflpjupj@4ax.com>,
> Andrew Price <ajprice@free.fr> wrote:
>
> > On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:29:43 -0800, tkeats2005@ehotmail.com (Tom
> > Keats) wrote:
> >
> > >Just as there are various kinds of rockets,
> > >there are various kinds of COLD.
> > >
> > >I opine the PNW kind of COLD is among
> > >the most miserable.
> >
> > Why ?
>
> It's wet.

it's -19C in chicagoland this morning. brrr. Yesterday it was 9.5C
(-2F, 49F) It is a dry cold. . .

What i will hear at work:

1) Did you ride this morning (x4) (yes)
2) yer crazy (x2) (yes)
3) isn't it cold (x3) (meh)
4) no way i'd ever do that (x2) (sigh)

This seems like a good time to pimp my silicon carbide studded Nokian
Extreme 294 26" tires. 294 SiC studs per wheel. *Indominitable* on ice,
like my own personal superpower: I fear no winter hazard (they're
nothing special in snow >5", but there ya go, and anyway, that's why g-d
blessed us with bicycle snow plow guy).

And they only take twice the power to stoke, so now my pants don't fit
due to my bulging ripply quads.

..max

--
The part of betatron @ earthlink . net was played by a garden gnome

[Stephen Harding]

Jym Dyer wrote:
>>As for Vancouver, buying a set of MEC's neoprene cycling/
>>paddling gloves has solved my cold-hand issues.
>
>
> =v= I also want to give props to Pearl Izumi's "lobster claw"
> gloves, which got me through some Chicago and Omaha winters!
>
>
>>I have tried neoprene boot covers, and found them strangely
>>ineffective.
>
>
> =v= Same here. They wear down much too fast!

I have the lobster claws and they are indeed very good.

However, this winter I went to my local outdoor supply
store (a very good one) and bought some large wool mittens
which the store owner said was their warmest handwear.

Bought some leather mittens to go over them as a shell and
have found them much warmer than the "claws". Of course
mittens will generally always be warmer than gloves, even
three fingered ones.

But everything has a penalty and mittens don't give much in
the way of manual dexterity. Aside from some clunky gear
shifting, they have been quite adequate (and a lot cheaper
than the "claws").


SMH

[Ryan Cousineau]

In article <5d04of.go3.ln@vcn.bc.ca>,
tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom Keats) wrote:

> In article <rcousine-617623.16045629012008@[74.223.185.199.nw.nuvox.net]>,
> Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> writes:
>
> > The very worst is the classic 1 C and raining that is so common in
> > Vancouver.
>
> I've never understood that particular odium.
>
> To me, that it's not freezing is a good thing.
>
> That it's raining is just ... usual and normal.
>
> If the streets are ice-free, I'm happier than
> a kitten in a dairy.
>
> Having to stand still @ 1C in the rain (e.g: waiting
> for a bus) is horrid. But being able to move around
> readily obviates and obliviates all the discomforts.

The not-ice is, of course, the best feature, but what I find is that
after a couple of hours of riding, such conditions contribute to a
painful coldness. The big issue is that once you get water intrusion to
your skin (or soaked clothing), you start losing heat really fast.

The problem there is that I think the gear for dealing with dry cold
conditions is pretty good at dealing with dry cold conditions, but the
gear for dealing with wet cool conditions is much more prone to
problems: leaks, gaps, general failure.

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@gmail.com http://www.wiredcola.com/
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."

[John Kane]

On Feb 3, 4:09 am, tkeats2...@hotmail.com (Tom Keats) wrote:
> In article <rcousine-617623.16045629012008@[74.223.185.199.nw.nuvox.net]>,
> Ryan Cousineau <rcous...@sfu.ca> writes:
>
> > The very worst is the classic 1 C and raining that is so common in
> > Vancouver.
>
> I've never understood that particular odium.
>
> To me, that it's not freezing is a good thing.
>
> That it's raining is just ... usual and normal.
>
> If the streets are ice-free, I'm happier than
> a kitten in a dairy.
>
> Having to stand still @ 1C in the rain (e.g: waiting
> for a bus) is horrid. But being able to move around
> readily obviates and obliviates all the discomforts.
>
> cheers,
> Tom

We don't get the +/- 1 C and rain that much here but I tend to agree
that it's worse than reasonably cold weather say -5 or -10. Much more
chance of unexpected ice and and the chance of getting wet and very
cold very fast is much higher.

Of course you need to realise that a winter rider here does not
normally dress for wet weather.

[Ryan Cousineau]

In article <6lng95-oo5.ln1@curare.zuvembi.homelinux.org>,
Dane Buson <dane@unseen.edu> wrote:

> In rec.bicycles.misc Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> wrote:
>
> > If anyone has a recommendation for a really weather-resistant cycling
> > shoe (or maybe magic socks), let me know.
>
> Mec has the Exustar E-SM450 Cold Weather Cycling Shoes which are what I
> use. If you are in a total downpour they will soak water in through the
> neoprene 'sock' at top, but in normal rains they work a treat.
>
> I've been spoiled by their ridiculously firm sole, which I miss when I
> shift back to regular MTB/commuter shoes.

Interesting. I ended up buying those exact boots a few weeks ago, though
I haven't given them a serious test yet. I suspect that slipping a
legging over the top of the "sock" would help.

The firm sole is nice, but as a nerdy racer, I expect such things.
There's quite a few "racer" MTB shoes that have soles that rigid; the
racier versions seem to take a road-shoe sole and add tread lugs to the
bottom. I don't do a huge amount of walking in these shoes off the bike,
but they're not horrible.

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@gmail.com http://www.wiredcola.com/
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."